2008 Two Pound Coin – Olympic Centenary


The 2008 Two Pound Coin - Olympic Centenary

After the reintroduction of the Olympics in 1896, London held the modern Olympics in 1908. A purpose built stadium was opened in White City.

This £2 coin therefore celebrates the Centenary of the London Olympic Games of 1908.

The reverse was designed by Thomas T Docherty and shows four lanes of a running track extend from bottom left and converge into distance towards top right. The lane numbers show "1908" across the lanes with "TWO POUNDS 2008" written along the lanes and  "LONDON OLYMPIC CENTENARY" around the top half.

The edge is milled and has the inscription "THE 4TH OLYMPIAD LONDON".

The obverse is the Ian Rank-Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.

Image credit: M J Hughes Coins.


Mintage: 910,000 (may include coins in sets)
Minted at The Royal Mint.
Remember 2008 ?
Elizabeth II was in her 56th year as Queen. George W Bush is U.S. President. Olympics are in Beijing, China.
Elizabeth II (1952-2022)
Queen Elizabeth II was the longest reigning British Monarch ever, reigning for over 70 years. Born on 21 April 1926 to King George VI and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, she became Queen in 1952 and her Coronation was on 2 June 1953. She died on 8 September 2022. Some coins were released dated 2023.

Queen Elizabeth II issued many coins and was monarch during decimalisation. She married Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in 1947 and had four children. Her eldest son succeeded the throne as King Charles III. House of Windsor.
Category: Two Pound Coins
The current Two Pound (£2) coin that is found in circulation is a bimetallic coin introduced on 15th June 1998 (although the first are dated 1997). There are almost 500 million £2 coins of various designs in current circulation.

There has been other two pound coins. From 1823 until 1996 they made occasional appearances and the double-sovereign has a two pound value. Commemorative two pound coins were issued from 1986 to 1996. This article is primarily concerned with the circulating coins of 1997 onwards.

specifications:

  • Weight: 12 g
  • Diameter: 28.4 mm
  • Thickness: 2.5 mm
  • Edge: Milled, with incuse lettering
  • Design style: Circular, bi-metallic
  • Composition Outer ring: Nickel-brass (76% Cu, 20% Zn and 4% Ni)
  • Composition Centre: Cupro-nickel (75% Cu , 25% Ni)
The two pound coin has also been minted in gold.
Which Mint: The Royal Mint
The Royal Mint is the designated place for the UK to mint coins. It dates back well over 1000 years and is a Government-owned company. 

Formed in the reign of Alfred the Great about the year 886, during the period 1279-1812 it was generally referred to as The Tower Mint as it was housed at the Tower of London. The Master of The Royal Mint has included famous figures such as Sir Isaac Newton.

Since 2010 it has operated as Royal Mint Ltd, a company owned by HM Treasury, under an exclusive contract to supply all coinage for the UK although it also produces medals and coins for other countries. It is currently located at Llantrisant, Wales.
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
The United Kingdom (UK) is the Union of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is often refered to as Great Britain (GBR). It has a long, rich history.

The orignal coinage was Pounds, Shillings and Pence but since decimalisation on 15 February 1971, it is £1 = 100p, that is One Pound = 100 pence. The coinage of the UK is also a long history, the Royal Mint being established as long ago as 886AD when coins were hammered. Today there is perhaps 30 billion coins in circulation, and many (numismatic) collectors coins and sets are issued frequently in gold, silver and other metals.
If you don't see a coin in the list below try the Two Pound Coins page on eBay UK
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List items on:

Rare Two £2 Pound Coin UK Coins Olympics Commonwealth NI Navy Bible Mary Rose
Rare Two £2 Pound Coin UK Coins Olympics Commonwealth NI Navy Bible Mary Rose
£ 12.99
London Olympic Centenary 2008 £2 Two Pound Coin Circulated Rare
London Olympic Centenary 2008 £2 Two Pound Coin Circulated Rare
£ 99.00
Cheapest Two Pound Coins, incl Commonwealth Games, Claim Of Rights, Shakespeare.
Cheapest Two Pound Coins, incl Commonwealth Games, Claim Of Rights, Shakespeare.
£ 9.00
 COINS £2 RARE TWO POUND COINS 1986-2021 N. IRELAND,OLYMPIC AUSTIN,BREAST CANCER
COINS £2 RARE TWO POUND COINS 1986-2021 N. IRELAND,OLYMPIC AUSTIN,BREAST CANCER
£ 10.80
2008 London Olympic Centenary £2 Pound Coin
2008 London Olympic Centenary £2 Pound Coin
£ 5.45
2008 £2 Olympic Centenary Two Pound Coin
2008 £2 Olympic Centenary Two Pound Coin
£ 6.00
2008 £2 OLYMPIC CENTENARY 100YRS ANNIVER TWO POUND COIN HUNT 17/32 RARE
2008 £2 OLYMPIC CENTENARY 100YRS ANNIVER TWO POUND COIN HUNT 17/32 RARE
£ 10.80
2008 Olympic Centenary £2 Coin Pound BU Royal Mint Folder Pack two pound bunc
2008 Olympic Centenary £2 Coin Pound BU Royal Mint Folder Pack two pound bunc
£ 36.00

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